News of actress Lea Thompson’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the August 2013 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the actress best known for her role in Back to the Future is alive and well.
UPDATE 19/08/2013 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Lea Thompson death hoax spreads on Facebook
Rumors of the actress’s alleged demise gained traction on Saturday after a ‘R.I.P. Lea Thompson’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the American actress’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Saturday (August 17, 2013), our beloved actress Lea Thompson passed away. Lea Thompson was born on May 31, 1961 in Rochester. She will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”​

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 52-year-old actress, director and producer was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.
Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major American network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an actress of Lea Thompson's stature would be major news across networks.
Lea Thompson Death Hoax Dismissed Since Actress Is ‘Alive And Well’
On Sunday (August 18) the actress' reps officially confirmed that Lea Thompson is not dead. “She joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. She's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.
Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved actress. Others say this shows her extreme popularity across the globe.